June 13-21, 2009, Kyushu – Pacific Trends, one of the two ensembles of the US Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia at Yokota Air Base, performed to full houses in nine cities in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Miyazaki prefectures. Several times a year, the band --made up of full-time professional musicians-- performs concerts in the Japanese community to promote goodwill.

Wherever they went, band members soon had the audience clapping and even dancing to Motown, R&B, and American pop tunes. The performance even included a special appearance by James Brown (sung and performed by vocalist Senior Airman Andrew Jones).The group also showed their appreciation for the music of Japan, singing a number of well-known Japanese songs.

Pacific Trends performed in Onojo, Okagaki, Kawara, and Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture, Ueki,　Yamaga and Minamata in Kumamoto and Saito and Kadokawa in Miyazaki Prefecture. The US Consulate’s Principal Officer, Margot Carrington and Public Affairs Officer, Tracy Taylor delivered greetings at the concerts in Onojo and Kurume, respectively.